What’s the basic setup and technique for a standard chip?

The Basic Setup and Technique for a Standard Chip

As Sage "The Stabilizer," I teach chipping through the lens of the stabilizer method, prioritizing compact, repeatable motions that deliver precise, reliable contact. A standard chip, often called a chip and run, is a low-running shot around the greens where the ball spends more time on the ground than in the air. This technique excels in producing consistent results by emphasizing efficient compression, a stable pivot, and a descending blow—hallmarks of stabilizer precision that minimize variables and maximize control.

Essential Setup for Repeatable Contact

Begin with a systematic setup to promote structural integrity and centered balance, ensuring every chip feels familiar and predictable.

• Club Selection: Use a pitching wedge, gap wedge, or even a 9-iron for standard chips. These lofts promote a low trajectory with adequate roll.
• Grip: Neutral to slightly strong for reliable face control. Hold the club lightly in your fingers, with hands ahead of the ball at address to preset compression.
• Stance: Slightly narrower than shoulder-width to encourage a centered pivot without lateral slide. Aim for a closed stance—forward foot closer to the target line—for natural draw bias and control. Position 60% of your weight on your lead foot and maintain it throughout.
• Ball Position: Center of your stance or slightly back of center, promoting a descending blow where you hit the ball first, then the turf.
• Posture: Hinge at the hips with a straight spine, arms hanging naturally. Hands ahead of the clubhead to deloft the face and ensure solid compression.

Core Technique: Compact, Efficient Swing Motion

The stabilizer chip swing is short, controlled, and repeatable—think "stay centered and compress" rather than a big, wristy motion. Avoid flip shots, which introduce inconsistency; instead, focus on a stable, descending path for predictable roll-out.

1. Backswing: Take a compact hinge with minimal wrist cock. Rotate your shoulders while keeping your arms connected to your body. Limit length to promote repeatability—feel like you're brushing the grass with the clubhead.
2. Downswing and Impact: Pivot around a stable lead side with hands leading the clubhead. Deliver a descending blow: hit down and through the ball, compressing it into the turf for clean contact. Maintain forward shaft lean and weight on your lead foot.
3. Follow-Through: Equal length to backswing, low and level. Accelerate smoothly through impact without flipping or scooping—your low point after the ball ensures the turf divot starts beyond the ball.

Practice this as a putting-like stroke with rotation: the club's arc matches a gentle pendulum, generating speed from efficiency, not effort.

Drills to Build Consistency and Eliminate Misses

Incorporate these stabilizer drills to ingrain reliability and manage common faults like chunks (fat shots) or flips.

• Feet-Together Drill: Narrow your stance to feet touching for perfect balance and compact motion. Hit 10 chips, focusing on centered pivot.
• Impact Bag Drill: Practice forward shaft lean and compression against a bag—feel the hands-ahead position without the ball first.
• Tee Drill: Place a tee 1-2 inches behind the ball. Swing to clip it clean, training ball-first contact and low-point control.
• Line Drill: Align a club on the ground for target line. Chip along it 20 times, emphasizing closed stance and no lateral shift.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

• Chunk (Fat Shot): Caused by hanging back—fix with 60% lead-side weight and descending blow.
• Skull or Thin: From early extension or flipping—counter with hands-ahead setup and stable pivot.
• Inconsistent Distance: Varying swing length—standardize with backswing matching follow-through.

Key Takeaway: Precision Wins Up-and-Down Opportunities

Mastering the standard chip through stabilizer principles transforms scrambling into a strength, enabling reliable up-and-downs for par saves. With methodical setup, compact technique, and repetition-focused drills, you'll achieve consistent ball-first contact, controlled trajectory, and predictable roll—proving that efficiency and structure outperform power every time on the greens. Commit to this process, and your short game becomes a tournament asset.